Large-scale brain network dynamics in very preterm children and relationship with socio-emotional outcomes: an exploratory study.

BACKGROUND: Children born very preterm (VPT; <32 weeks' gestation) are at high risk of neurodevelopmental and behavioural difficulties associated with atypical brain maturation, including socio-emotional difficulties. The analysis of large-scale brain network dynamics during rest allows us to investigate brain functional connectivity and its association with behavioural outcomes. METHODS: Dynamic functional connectivity was extracted by using the innovation-driven co-activation patterns framework in VPT and full-term children aged 6-9 to explore changes in spatial organisation, laterality and temporal dynamics of spontaneous large-scale brain activity (VPT, n = 28; full-term, n = 12). Multivariate analysis was used to explore potential biomarkers for socio-emotional difficulties in VPT children. RESULTS: The spatial organisation of the 13 retrieved functional networks was comparable across groups. Dynamic features and lateralisation of network brain activity were also comparable for all brain networks. Multivariate analysis unveiled group differences in associations between dynamical functional connectivity parameters with socio-emotional abilities. CONCLUSION: In this exploratory study, the group differences observed might reflect reduced degrees of maturation of functional architecture in the VPT group in regard to socio-emotional abilities. Dynamic features of functional connectivity could represent relevant neuroimaging markers and inform on potential mechanisms through which preterm birth leads to neurodevelopmental and behavioural disorders. IMPACT: Spatial organisation of the retrieved resting-state networks was comparable between school-aged very preterm and full-term children. Dynamic features and lateralisation of network brain activity were also comparable across groups. Multivariate pattern analysis revealed different patterns of association between dynamical functional connectivity parameters and socio-emotional abilities in the very preterm and full-term groups. Findings suggest a reduced degree of maturation of the functional architecture in the very preterm group in association with socio-emotional abilities.

Secondary intraocular lens implantation following infantile cataract surgery: intraoperative indications, postoperative outcomes.

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to determine the long-term complications and outcomes of secondary intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in patients with congenital cataracts.Patients and MethodsThe medical records of children operated for secondary IOL implantation surgery between 2000 and 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Those who had undergone their initial congenital cataract surgery before 7 months of age were included and were analyzed for intra- and postoperative factors and postoperative refractive outcomes. We focused on three complications: visual axis opacification (VAO), glaucoma, and IOL exchange after at least 1 year of follow-up.ResultsA total of 49 eyes of 49 patients were analyzed for intraoperative indications. Of those, 37 eyes of 37 patients had at least 1 year of follow-up and were analyzed for postoperative outcomes. The mean age at secondary implantation was 55.2±21.6 months. At secondary implantation, 69.4% of eyes were implanted in the capsular bag, 28.6% in the sulcus, and 2.0% that were angle-supported. There was no significant correlation between the site of secondary IOL implantation and age at implantation (P=0.216). The mean follow-up after implantation was 57.6±33.6 months. The rate of VAO was 5.4%, the rate of glaucoma occurring after secondary implantation was 16.2%, and the rate of IOL exchange was 2.7%. The median visual acuity at final follow-up was 20/40. For patients with unilateral cataracts it was 20/60 and for bilateral patients it was 20/30.ConclusionsThe secondary IOL implantation in children is a relatively safe procedure associated with low rates of postoperative complications. Visual outcomes are acceptable and are better for bilateral patients than for unilateral patients.